New doors swing open for country band

Since forming three years ago, country band The Swinging Doors have proven that looks can be deceiving.

"It’s kind of funny because we’re all young guys, have a few tattoos, and when we walk into a club we do get a few raised eyebrows from people because they don’t know what to expect," explained lead vocalist/guitarist Landon Chatterton, who also sports a Mohawk haircut under his cowboy hat.

"And a lot of the time I’ll overhear people saying, ‘Oh, they’re gonna play rock ‘n’ roll, or it’s too loud.’ We kinda have the cards stacked against us when we walk into a club that’s a traditional kind of place (such as a legion or hall)."

It usually takes just a few songs before the (typically older) crowd realizes that the band — which is rounded out by lead guitarist/vocalist Damien Johnson, bassist/vocalist Patrick Aaron and drummer Joey Lee — plays straight-up country only, with a focus on songs by "outlaws" such as Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Waylon Jennings.

Tonight, the band makes its last appearance in these here parts for awhile — they play a fundraiser for Independent Living Centre at the legion in Lyndhurst — before they fly to Europe.

The band will be playing 26 shows throughout Belgium and the Netherlands from Jan. 31 to Feb. 25.

Chatterton was familiar with the promoter, who contacted them after another act had to drop out.

"It was a contact I had, and somebody I kept track of for a few years, and I knew what he was doing, and I know several people who have done that tour," he said. "It’s kind of a specific circuit that you do."

Those two countries crave North American music.

"Over there, roots music is very popular, and you can find these bars and clubs over there that are very much themed, geared toward this 1950s kind of Americana culture," explained Chatterton. "And they have Marilyn Monroe on the wall, and Elvis Presley, and there’s a Coke machine, like that vibe."

The trip will not only introduce the band overseas, it will also give them time away from the distractions of home and boost their credibility for a Canadian tour.

"For us, it’s the experience of it, and even just in travel, the companionship, the camaraderie that will develop over that month, and, you know, the bottom line is we get four weeks of time where we’re just developing our craft," said Chatterton. "When you’re here and you have family, that can limit the energy to put into that."

In the meantime, tonight’s fundraiser for Independent Living Centre Kingston takes place at the Lyndhurst Legion from 8 p.m. to midnight. The $15 cover also includes a hot meal,and there will be a silent auction and 50/50 draw. There will also be a free shuttle from Kingston to Lyndhurst — phone 613-542-8353 for the pick-up/drop-off times and locations.

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There will plenty of other music in the city, too.

Today, the Open Voices Community Choir and the Eccentric Voices Ensemble join with Mauricio Montecinos to bring "Latin Heat" to Cooke’s-Portsmouth United Church for two shows, at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Tickets cost $15 and $5.

Also this afternoon at 2:30, and tomorrow afternoon at the same time, the Kingston Symphony presents the next instalment of this year’s "Masterworks" series as they welcome Avan Yu onstage for pieces by Rachmaninoff, Beethoven, and Wagner.

Tomorrow sees the return of the "Royal Jelly," the quieter version of the Thursday night’s long-running "Royal Jam" featuring local musicians. The Jelly runs from 2 to 5p.m. at the Royal Tavern, 344 Princess St., and admission is free.

Speaking of Thursdays, the Centre Culturel de Frontenac welcomes back Quebecois singer Luc De Larochelliere to the stage at the Octave Theatre that night along with the duo Moonfruits. The show starts at 7:30, and tickets are $20 ($18 for students, $10 for children).

Meanwhile, downtown at the Brooklyn, 14 Garrett St., singer Ezra Jordan — he’s the son of musicians Marc Jordan and Amy Sky, and will be a guest on TV’s The Launch — will also be performing Thursday along with The Wheels and The Relative. Cover is $15, and the doors open at 9.

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If dancing is your thing, you may want to check out Compagnie Marie Chouinard’s "The Rites of Spring," based on Henri Micheaux’s "Mouvements," at the Grand Theatre on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Tickets range from $9.75 to $39.50, plus tax and handling fee.

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Lastly, Studio 22 on King Street has started an online store through which more than 600 pieces of locally produced art — from painting to mixed media — can be purchased. Go to studio22.ca to check it out, and maybe check out with some new artwork.